This study was carried out to evaluate the relations among workers' general characteristics, work-related behaviors and health related behaviors in a steel industry with 1,134 workers in Pohang. The results were as follows; 1. The mean age of workers was 50 years old and working duration was 15 years and over. Most of them were married(94 5%) and had studied beyond high school (53.0%). They performed three shift work and most of them(63.0%) had experienced industrial accidents. The frequency of noise and dust exposure was defined by a minimum of 6 hours per day, and workers complained about noise exposure(62.9%) and dust(55.6%). There were current smokers(67.7%), current drinkers(74.3%) and current exercising workers(32.3%) in the industry. The number of cigarette consumption in current drinkers was significantly high (13.6 +/- 8.4 pieces/day) and the alcohol consumption in current smokers was significantly high(l04.5 +/- 113.5 g/wk). And the number of cigarette consumption of exercisers was significantly low and the alcohol consumption of exercisers was higher than non-exercisers. 3. The ratio of current smokers on frequent noise in exposed workers versus non-exposed workers was not significantly high but the current drinkers in frequent noise and dust exposed workers was significantly higher than non--exposed. 4. The normal levels of SGOT workers in non-smokers were significantly higher than in current smokers, and the abnormal levels of LFT(SGOT, SGPT, gamma-GTP workers in nondrinkers were significantly high. The normal levels of SBP and DBP workers in current smokers were not significantly high but were significantly high in non-drinkers. 5. The ratio of current smokers in workers unsatisfied with their job and working condition was higher than non-smokers, but the ratio of current drinkers in workers satisfied with their job and working condition were higher. 6. The significant factors for SGOT and gamma-GTP were age, the drinking amount and BMI. But the only significant factor for r-GTP was BMI. The significant factors for DBP were age, the alcohol consumption and BMI And the significant factors for SBP were age, BMI.
Accidents, Occupational ; Alanine Transaminase ; Alcohol Drinking ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Drinking ; Dust ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Male* ; Middle Aged ; Noise ; Smoking ; Steel* ; Tobacco Products

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between Berg balance scale (BBS) which is tool for assessing the clinical balance function and sensory organization test (SOT) of computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) in brain injured patients. METHOD: Thirty patients with brain injury were assessed on the BBS and SOT of CDP. BBS consists of 14 items and each item is graded on a five point ordinal scale (0~4), yielding a total of 56 points. According to its characteristics, each item was divided 3 groups, which were sitting, standing and position change. Six equilibrium scores (EQ) were determined by SOT of CDP (EquiTest System , Version 5.08) under 6 conditions, and somatosensory, visual, vestibular ratios were analyzed by 6 EQ scores. RESULTS: EQ 5 was correlated with reaching forward item (r=0.513), turning 360 degrees item (r=0.537), stool stepping item (r=0.529) of BBS (p<0.01). EQ 6 was correlated with turning 360 degrees item (r=0.498) of BBS (p<0.01). Sum of standing item group scores was correlated with EQ 5 (r=0.478), EQ 6 (r=0.464), and sum of position change item scores was correlated with EQ 5 (r=0.622), EQ 6 (r=0.514) (p<0.01). Vestibular ratio was correlated with BBS total score (r=0.552, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: We concluded that vestibular ratio of SOT was correlated with BBS, especially position change item group. Therefore BBS is a good tool for evaluating vestibular function in brain injured patients.
Brain Injuries ; Brain* ; Cytidine Diphosphate ; Humans

Almost all advanced glomerular diseases have glomerular sclerotic changes to varying degrees whatever causes their primary glomerular disease are. Pathogenesis of these sclerosis has been thought of as the hyperfiltration in the primary glomerulosclerosis due to development of glomerular hypertension in each insulted glomeruli. This background gave the theoretical bases for antihypertensive therapies for supporting chronic renal insufficient patients. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, one of the antihypertensive drugs, has received attention recently for its effectiveness. The aims of this study determined the effects and mechanism of the ACE inhibitor, enalapril, on the glomerulosclerosis in FGS/NgaKist mice, which was an animal model of chronic renal failure by generating spontaneously heavy proteinuria and progressive glomerulosclerosis. Five-week-old FGS/NgaKist mice (n=38) were assigned to four groups. Group 1a (n=6) and group 2a (n=8) fed with a vehicle, were sacrificed at the end of 10 weeks and 15 weeks, respectively. Group 1b (n=12) and 2b (n=12) received enalapril (100 mg/L) in drinking water for 5 weeks and 10 weeks from 6th week of age respectively, and were sacrified on the same day as the control groups. Doses of enanapril were maintained to 2 mg/kg/day by measuring the amount of water consumption. In enalapril groups 1b and 2b, systemic blood pressure (74.7 14.0 mm Hg, 74.3 15.9 mmHg) were significantly lower than control group 2a (116.1 4.6 mmHg, P<0.001). Similarly, degree of proteinuria lowered in enalapril group 2b versus control group 2a (0% and 50.0%, P<0.001). Glomerulosclerosis percentage significantly decreased (P<0.001) (group 1b and 2b; 1.9 6.5, 5.6 7.0 vs control 1a and 2a; 32.8 15.5, 31.4 13.8). Glomerulosclerosis score also decreased (P<0.001) (group 1b and 2b; 0.02 0.08 vs control 1a and 2a; 0.48 0.12, 0.30 0.14). The immunofluorescent staining of enalapril groups showed negative for mesangial deposition of IgG, IgA, IgM, and C3 which were positive in control groups. Immunohistochemical staining with TGF-beta1 was negative in enalapril groups and sclerotic glomeruli both enalapril groups and control groups. These results support that the ACE inhibitor has a renoprotective effect on glomerulosclerosis not only by decreasing the blood pressure but also by suppressing the immune deposits on glomeruli.
Angiotensins* ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Drinking ; Drinking Water ; Enalapril ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A* ; Proteinuria ; Sclerosis* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Varicella is usually considered to be a benign disease in healthy children; however, serious complications can occur such as necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome. We describe a 38-month-old girl with necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome following varicella. She was previously healthy and vaccinated against varicella at 12 months of age. She had been diagnosed with varicella three days prior to presenting at our facility; she developed fever, vomiting, and painful swelling on her left flank. Her skin lesions worsened, she became lethargic, and had episodes of hypotension and coagulopathy. Necrotizing fasciitis on the left abdominal wall, buttocks, and left thigh was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging, and group A Streptococcus was isolated from a tissue culture. She was diagnosed as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, and successfully treated with repeated surgical debridement and fasciotomy, in addition to intensive antibiotics. Our experience suggests that necrotizing fasciitis in patients with varicella should be considered to be a rare complication even with widespread vaccine use. Early diagnosis and intensive treatment are required to prevent a fatal outcome.
Abdominal Wall ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Buttocks ; Chickenpox* ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Debridement ; Early Diagnosis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Shock, Septic* ; Skin ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; Thigh ; Vomiting

Although gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, it also occurs in the non-gastrointestinal tract, and is referred to as extragastrointestinal stromal tumor (EGIST). In this report, we describe a 48-year-old female patient who presented with hematuria, and who was finally diagnosed with a primary extragastrointestinal stromal tumor of the pelvic cavity involving the bladder, vagina and left ureter. Tumor cells were positive for immunohistochemical staining for CD117 antigen (proto-oncogene protein c-kit), CD34, and vimentin, whereas they were negative for desmin, smooth muscle actin, and S-100 protein. These findings provide histopathological and immunohistochemical evidence for diagnosing this tumor as EGIST.
Actins ; Desmin ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; S100 Proteins ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Vagina ; Vimentin

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of respiration on the sizes of intrathoracic vasculature, and the trachea,and the main bronchus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen volunteers (10males aged 20-39 years and 7 females aged20-39 years) underwent spiral CT, between the apex and lowest base of the lung, collimation was 10mm, pitch was 1,and images were obtained at breath hold forced end-inspiration and breath hold forced end-expiration. Crosssecional areas or diameters were measured in each respiration state at the aorta (ascending, descending, lowerthoracic) and great branches, the IVC (thoracic, abdominal), the SVC, pulmonary artery (right main, leftdescending) and the tracheobronchus (trachea, left upper bronchus). Changes in the size of vessels and airwaysbetween the respiration states were evaluated and compared between inspiration and expiration. RESULT: Duringbreath-hold forced end-inspiration CT, the ascending, descending, and lower thoracic aorta and itsbranches(brachiocephalic, left common carotid, left subclavian) as well as the thoracic IVC and SVC and the rightmain and left descending pulmonary arteries decreased in size: during breath-hold forced end-expiration CT, thesize of all these vessels increased. For the trachea, left upper lobe bronchus and abdominal IVC, the situationwas reversed. Statistically significant changes(p<0.05) were noted in the ascending aorta and descending aorta,the lower thoracic aorta, the thoracic and abdominal IVC, the SVC, the right main and left pulmonary arteries, andthe trachea. CONCLUSION: During respiration, changes in the size of the thoracic vasculature and airways isprobably due to changes in intrathoracic pressure. In the measurement and diagnosis of stenosis or dilatation inthe intrathoracic vesculature and airways, respiration states should therefore be considered.
Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Bronchi* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Pulmonary Artery ; Respiration* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Trachea* ; Volunteers

Gross hematuria is uncommon, and rarely associated with hydronephrosis in healthy children. We describe a 3-year-old boy who complained of gross hematuria and dysuria. He was diagnosed as cystitis with bilateral hydronephrosis, and treated with antibiotics and conservative therapy. Our experience suggests that cystitis with hydronephrosis can occur in healthy children presenting with gross hematuria.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Cystitis ; Dysuria ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Preschool Child

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify core keywords and topic groups in the “adolescent pregnancy” field of research for a better understanding of research trends in the past 10 years. Methods: Topics related to adolescent pregnancy were extracted from 3,819 articles that were published in journals between January 2013 and July 2023. Abstracts were retrieved from five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, RISS, and KISS). Keywords were extracted from the abstracts and cleaned using semantic morphemes. Text network analysis and topic modeling were performed using NetMiner 4.3.3. Results: The most important keywords were “health,” “woman,” “risk,” “group,” “girl,” “school,” “service,” “family,” “program,” and “contraception.” Five topic groups were identified through topic modeling. Through the topic modeling analysis, five themes were derived: “health service,” “community program for school girls,” “risks for adult women,” “relationship risks,” and “sexual contraceptive knowledge.” Conclusion This study utilized text network analysis and topic modeling to analyze keywords from abstracts of research conducted over the past decade on adolescent pregnancy. Given that adolescent pregnancy leads to physical, mental, social, and economic issues, it is imperative to provide integrated intervention programs, including prenatal/postnatal care, psychological services, proper contraception methods, and sex education, through school and community partnerships, as well as related research studies. Nurses can play a vital role by actively engaging in prevention efforts and directly supporting and educating socially disadvantaged adolescent mothers, which could significantly contribute to improving their quality of life.

Urinary tract infection is one of the causes of acute renal failure. But it has been reported rarely, so we must consider another etiologies before diagnosis. Abdominal ultrasonogram is a good non-invasive technique for radiologic diagnosis or for differential diagnosis, but it's possible that tiny abscesses and small lesions of focal bacterial nephritis might be missed. CT is the best radiologic method to diagnose renal lesion, especially acute bacterial nephritis. Nevertheless, CT has several problems, including contrast-induced nephropathy, exposure to radiation. We experienced a severe form of anuric acute renal failure secondary to acute bacterial nephritis due to E. coli infection. The patient's renal lesion was not visualized on the ultrasonogram and his uremic symptom was severe. So we decided to do a kidney biopsy to find another possible cause of acute renal failure. The renal biopsy finding showed acute bacterial nephritis, and abdominal CT reconfirmed it. His serum creatinine increased to a maximum 8.5 mg/dL, but decreased to 1.24 mg/dL through continuous antibiotic therapy. We emphasize that urinary tract infection is not a rare cause of acute renal failure any more, and that positive diagnositic approaches, including kidney biopsy, are important for accurate and early diagnosis.
Abscess ; Acute Kidney Injury ; Biopsy* ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Early Diagnosis ; Kidney ; Nephritis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract Infections

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to present the ultrasonographic (US) features of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the thyroid gland and to evaluate the diagnostic utility of fineneedle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB). METHODS: Eight patients with nine metastatic RCC nodules in the thyroid glands who were treated from January 2002 to March 2015 in a single tertiary hospital were consecutively selected and retrospectively reviewed. US features and clinical history were obtained from the institution's medical database. FNA was performed nine times on eight nodules and CNB was performed six times on six nodules. The diagnostic utility of FNA and CNB was evaluated. RESULTS: All nine nodules showed mass formation without diffuse thyroid involvement. On ultrasonography, metastatic RCC nodules were solid (100%), hypoechoic (100%), and oval-shaped nodules with a well-defined smooth margin (88.9%) and increased vascularity (100%, with 55% showing extensive vascularity). No calcifications were noted in any nodules. Lymph node metastasis and direct extension to nearby structures beyond the thyroid gland were not found. One FNA (11%) was able to confirm metastatic RCC, whereas all six CNBs confirmed metastatic RCC. CONCLUSION: Metastatic RCC appears as oval-shaped hypoechoic solid nodules with well-defined smooth margins, no calcifications, and increased vascularity on ultrasonography. Characteristic US features along with a previous history of RCC should raise clinical suspicion, and CNB should be performed to make an accurate diagnosis.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thyroid Gland* ; Ultrasonography